THE SOCIAL SPNERE

Observer, Volume XXI, Issue 1196, 30 November 1901, Page 8

THE SOCIAL SPNERE

By Muriel. l

My Dear Muriel,—

THIS year's "flovrer show hold in the Choral Hall last week was a <lis • tin ct success, but the systeijlioi voting excercised for tlie best table decoration exhibit certainly ,c&tinot come under the same flattering cognomen. Voting cards were given to any orve who liked to ask for them, and if one had a relation or friend exhibiting it was quite possible to get cards and vote for one's fancy half-a-dozen times over. We all saw some small boys exercising this privilege. Of course, the doorkeeper who distributed the cards could not possibly remember every person to whom he had previously given them, so went merrily on, and, of course, this system was considered most unfair by the majority present. I have never seen the Chora 1 Hall as crowded as on Friday afternoon, when it seemed as tho' every mother and child in Auckland were there, aiid the members of the orchestra had the greatest difficulty in funding room for themselves and their instruments on the platform. The idea of encouraging the youngsters to take an interest in flower culture is a most charming one, and the promoters of the allow must be very gratified with its great success, but if it could be held in marquees in the Domain or Metropolitan ground, I am sure it would be an even greater success. The heat, and heavily-laden, flower-scented air in \ the Hall on Friday was too much for many people, and made it impossible for them to enjoy the exhibits, which were *eally lovely.

The old hall itself was, ot course, as dirty as usual. One always sees little heapa of dust and dirt just swept' under any convenient chair, but the walls thereof were vastly improved with festoons of greenery and such wellmade paper roses that, if only they had not been brought so low down, they could easily have passed for the real thing. Practical-looking housewives went into raptures over the show of vegetables and fruit, which, though small, were perfect of their kind. But why is it impossible to buy such perfect specimens of vegetables ? If we are able to grow such in small quantities, surely it might apply to Wholesale lots. 1 am sure our "Johns " would not recognise the show cabbages, etc., as the same species they cart round. And if some small boys did not sample the fruit — well, it was not for want of trying.

The afternoon tea supplied gratuitously, and served in a large tent, . proved .a great attraction, as usual. The ladies in charge worked like the proverbial niggers, but still some old' dames were highly indignant at being kept waiting a minute or two. 1 heard one, with an air of virtuous indignation v ,say to a hot and tired little girl -who -had given her afternoon up freely »tb the tea cause that "she was just tired of waiting for her tea, did not like the look of the cakes, and did not think she could take any after waiting so long" — and this at a free tea, 1 need hardly tell you that she managed to put away a good, square meal.

Kfrrt^ers of flowers, and those who use them extensively in their rooms, green waH-paper'is very much in favour; It has the great -advantage of blending with ey^ry Colour imaginable. It ninst. not tneo! too_ light a tone, nor of the. eau-cle-nii shade? and green-, If properly iihosen, bring*-~out whatever tinge of jsolonr t'lieije may be in pale cheeks. fThose who, dovbt this facl sjiould try placing lKeftßiAiH ti^ri- *St;i6XJ« colours. /They will tJiefl "»ee that a green with a certain amount of blue in it makes a hand look pink; ; that on most otlier colours has the' *' snowflake " iippearance so approved of in a certain class of novel.

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There were quite a lot of -smart, pretty frocks-worn at the- Flower Show laat Friday afternoon. Mrs H. Keening looked eapeciaUy< well wearing a perfectly- made .fawn : linen .' cofcttnne, and black to<gpt> ; : Mrs Craig .wore black ; Miss ft. "Lennox, green linen, and pretty 4wwer hat ; Miss Stone, white muslin frock, and dark red hat ; MrsE. RtiHsell, blue silk ; Miss Russell wore rose-colour costume; Mrs J. T. ArmitAgej fawn - colour tailor - made dreßs; flower hat ; Mr» Lindsay was in white;; Mrs Mahoney, lovely white silk ; Mrs Sydney Nathan, embroidered biscuit - coloured muslin, pink floral hat ; and Miss Lucas," blue costume.

I am told that Dr de Clive Lowe's clever little operetta, " The Lady Typist," now in active rehearsal, is to be performed very shortly, in aid of the Benevolent Society.

The Auckland Rowing Club's first iinnual picnic held at Pine Island last Saturday afternoon was a very pleasurable though (piiet affair. The members of the Club and its energetic Captain, Dr Maitland, worked hard. A few lively spirits gave an exhibition of swimming, etc. , the races were exciting, and the weather all right. Pine Island is a grand place for any sort of picnic, for anything more lasting evidently no good, as there are deserted gardens and orchards to wander in, and a most deserted shanty wherein to fix up the inevitable after noon tea. The visitors wandered about and gathered flowers in the interval between races and 1 tea. One select little party of three brought its live-stock and camped under the trees. Everyone present seemed to enjoy the outing muchly, and many were heard to say they would certainly come again.

Miss May Cameron. "The Gables," Remuera, gave a garden party last Saturday afternoon for Miss Lucy Gee, who is to marry Mr H. H. Partridge one day this week. Miss Cameron is justly celebrated as a most perfect little hostess, so, needless to say, all present enjoyed themselves immensely. The weather was kind enough to be really good for the occasion, the garden was looking perfect, and the many pretty costumes worn by the even prettier girls made a lovely scene. Croquet and a miniature shooting gallery provided any amount of fun. Strawberries and cream were served in the garden, and in the dining-room afternoon tea. The table decorations in this room were simply exquisite. Imagine the centre a mass of heavenly blue chiffon with the palest of pink roses strewn all over ; narrow blue ribbons spread to each corner ; the palest blue vases holding pink roses, and you can have some faint idea how lovely the table looked, apart from the good things spread on it.

Among those present were Mrs Cameron, who wore black ; Miss Cameron, pretty white muslin ; Mise May Cameron looked charming in white with turquoise blue trimmed hat, Mrs Dir Beattie., Miss Scrimgeour, Miss Gee, Mies Lucy Gee wore very pretty white 'muslin ; Messrs Partridge, Pullan, Pritt and Irvine, Miss Salmon, Miss Kathleen Hume, MisHes Richardson, M. Dargaville, Crow.ther, Hesketh, Miss Jones wore blue and white silk ; Miss Phillips, a perfectly made white silk frock ; Miss X/ Lennox, white skirt, blue Eton jacket and pretty flower hat ; Miss Berry /looked charming in white linen frock, blue hat, and Mrs Murdoch was very much admired wearing a tussore silk frock and hydrangea blue hat.

I heard of a rather' funny practical ioke that has had a big run in Sydney lately, hundreds being i 1 had " with it. One person would be bidding another £pddvbye, when he would say "Oh, I wisljtyou would ring up 39 Paddington, for^eV and a«k- how Jessie is." The answer is, nafctmrtTy, "Jessie who?" Bujfc.tfi%*other runs off, saying, ," No 'time' 'now. Just get 39 Paddington, fend ask a,bowt Jessie — they will know. She'fjL •• •S^p^jlfo'^^he's a friend of mine." Tni» has been done over and over aguin. 39 Paddington is the Zoo;; and Jessie the elephant. The nniortuniite people at the Zoo have been so victimised, that there have been letter* in the papers, threatening to have

the telephone cut off. One girl ranjf up, and the man in charge answered her so rudely that in her indignafcUm" she told her father, a very i|tti<sk.-> tempered old' fellow. He immediately rushed ko the telephone, and after a fearful lot of trouble got 30, and then said to the man, "How dared you speak so rudely to my daughter just now. Tell me at once how Miss Jessie is, or I'll have you reported." Theex* planation given with some uncomplimentary personal adjectives caused more ructions, but at latest Jessie's health was still being enquired for.

A nioHt amusing book by - Mrs Poulteney Bigelow is called "While Charlie Was Away." It is quite an up-to-date story, and, to give you an idea of the style, I will quote one of the writer's remarks. She speaks of a women's luncheon party as one that "ruins the digestion of the women present, and the reputation of those who are absent." Apropos of Christian science, her criticisms are sure to give you a good laugh, so I won't spoil the story by telling you any more. "Love and Longitude" is a novel by Dr Scott Skerving, the eminent Sydney doctor who was in Auckland for a holiday a week or two ago. It is a story of the Pacific in the year 1900, and is a bright, well-told yarn. Truly yours, Polly.

The marriage of Miss Emily IJowring, of Graf ton Koad, and Mr Samuel James, of Coromandel, was quietly solemnised on Monday morning in St. Paul's Church, Symona-street. Canon C. M. Nelson officiated, and in com pliment to the bride, who had been a member of the choir, the service was choral. The choir was under Mr Phillpot, who presided at the organ and performed the Wedding March at the close of the service. The bride looked very nice in a stylish grey costume with Eton coat, showing a vest of tucked white silk, and the coat finished with a deep collar of white satin covered with creme lace. She^ also wore a pretty grey and white hat, and carried a beautiful shower bouqnet. Miss James, sister of the bridegroom, attended the bride, and wore a pretty heliotrope dress, trimmed with white satin, white hat ; and carried a shower bouquet. Mr James, brother of the bridegroom, acted as best man. Mrs Bowring, mother of the bride, wore a handsome black costume and black and heliotrope bonnet. After the wedding breakfast, which was served at the residence of the bride's parents, Mr and Mrs James left for their future home at Coromandel.

The engagement is announced of Miss Whitson, eldest daughter of Mrs T. Whitson, of Parnell, to Mr Withers, of Wellington.

Matrimony at Ponsonby is flourishing at the present time, for within the next few weeks there are to be quite a number of matrimonial events celebrated. Next Wednesday, Miss Leighton and Mr Hutchison, and Mr M. Shortt and Miss Lottie Merritt are to be united, and later the weddings take place of Mr C. Merritt and Miss Turnbull, Mr Andrew X J aterson and Miss G. Carter, Mr Cyril Dalton and Misa Maud Carter. All the gentlemen are, I believe, past or present members of the West End Rowing Club. Miss G. Greenhough's marriage to an American gentleman also takes place at an early date.

A good deal of interest was occasioned amongst a large circle of friends by the marriage, of Mr Harry Airey, of Auckland, and Miss Maud Murray, daughter of Mr G. W. Murray, of " Burnside," Kaukapakapa. The ceremony took place on Thursday, 2 1st inst., at the residence of the bride's father, in the presence of a, number of relatives and friends. The Key. E. M. Cowie officiated. The bride was given away by hej father, and looked lovely in a trained bridal dress of white silk, trimmed- very tastefully witlr chiffon, orange blossoniSjJtiicks, etc., tulle veil, which- wa» -becomingly arranged with a coronet of orange blossoms; arid 'she carried a beautiful- shower bouquet finished with streamer of ribbon.

""■' '■" ♦'"■ ' ■': . " : " '■ ' '■ . '! ■' ■■■•- The attendant bridesmaids were Miss AT. Hazard, Miss Mary Bell,; and; Mis* Bertha Hazard, all wearing dainty white dresses. Each carried a beautiful shower bouquet, and < wore gold bangle*, the gifts of the bride, groom, Mr Cole, ot Auckland, acted a» best man. A rechercfte wedding breakfast was afterwards served, when the initial toasts were proposed and duly honoured, Mr and Mis Airey i left by the afternoon train, where a large number of friends and wellwishers assembled to see, them off and offer their good wishes. Their spe-cially-reserved carriage was adorned with a large floral horse-shoe, while, as they entered the carriage, they were simply deluged with showers of rice and rose leaves. The wedding gifts were both numerous and beautiful.

The engagement is just announced of Mr E. N. -R. Ormiston, of the Napier-street Public School, to Miss Fleming, of Ponsonhy.

The marriage of Miss Grace Halliwell, daughter of the late Mr Halliwell, chief clerk at the Auckland Post Office, and Mr Spooner takes place on Tuesday next in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

The engagement is announced of Miss Una Hitchings, daughter of the late Dr Hitchings, of Napier, to Dr Edgar, of

Young Mr Rockefeller, heir to the wealthiest man in America, has just become engaged to Miss Abbey Aldrieh, a young American lady. Mr Rockefeller, senr., is reputed to be the the possessor of £200,000,000, and hia annual income is £4,000,000.

The Choral Society's performance of the second and third parts of Coleridge-Taylor's " Haiwatha " on Tuesday evening was most successful, and enjoyed by a large and appreciative audience. Mrs Hamilton Hodges, the only lady soloist, wore a handsome gown of rich rale blue brocade. Amongst the audience were Mrs Parkes in a lovely black evening dress, the skirt trimmed with tiny frills ; Mrs Cotter, black silk ; Mrs Donald, black silk and beautiful blue brocade opera cloak ; Miss Hooper, black silk skirt, pale blue blouse, with lace forming a bolero ; Mrs Gribben, black silk ; Mrs Plummer, black skirt and pretty heliotrope silk blouse ; Misa N. Lambert was charming in light evening dress ; Mrs Kent, handsome black merveilleux gown ; Miss Kent, white silk, with large white satin collar and trimmed with turquoise blue ; Mrs Kissling, black silk ; Miss Filcher, black skirt, pretty green blouse ; Miss Stewart, dainty pale green and white striped silk blouse, dark skirt ; Mrs T. Mahoney, black silk, with transparent sleeves of lace -, Mrs Munro Wilson, pretty light evening dress ; Miss Devore, black ; Mrs S. D. Hanna, black silk ; Miss E. Hanna, white silk blouse, white skirt ; Mrs Coleman, handsome black silk gown, creme brocade cloak ; Mrs H. J. Edmiston, black skirt, light silk blouse ; Mrs Kilgour, beautiful black satin gown ; Miss Dudley, black.

Fofa Ghrfetmas present there are few things that will wecwre you greater WeseiHgs than a bottle of Barmolough's : Propaganda for the cure of sciatica, lumbago or gout. Or, if there -is anyone you know who has the toothache badly, send along * bottle of Magic Nervine, made by the same iirra. 'Die result will be freedom from pam, aud a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. The gathering to mark the end of the season of Mrs Fred Brown's amateur orchestra, the presiding deity of which is Mrs Fred Brown, shows what a deal may be accomplished by devotion to a congenial task. A mixed orchestra of strings, brass, and reeds, with piano and organ conducted by a blind lady — and well conducted, too — is a sight not often witnessed, and all were impressed with her skill, and the excellent way in which the orchestra did their part. Evidently, there is a large quantity of latent musical talent available in Ponsonby.